Hospice: Husband was my soulmate

A mum has spoken of her complete gratitude for Lancaster St John’s Hospice after they looked after her “beloved soulmate” in his final moments.

Tracey Ireland, from Hest Bank, first met her husband Ian in 2000 and they married four years later.

The happy couple enjoyed life and regularly took trips to their holiday home in Spain.

In 2011 Ian, a local electrician in Slyne village, was diagnosed with myxoma, a noncancerous tumor which occurs in the upper left or right side of the heart.

Their lives changed dramatically and Ian’s health deteriorated after doctors discovered the dad-of-two had several brain tumours after he underwent open heart surgery. In February 2013 Ian went into the Slyne Road hospice and died there two months later aged just 45.

Tracey was left heartbroken but thankful she was able to spend quality time with her husband when hospice staff took over.

Tracey, 45, said: “Really from the word go they took over, he went in there and we knew it was terminal but it was such a relief that these people were there.

“He was my soulmate I used to call him my bear. The last thing he told me was that he always loved me.

“We had a conversation about being on the terrace in Spain and I said to him when the sun sets you’ll be there and that’s where I feel closest to him.”

Tracey, who owns The Londis in Slyne Village, visits Ian’s grave every two days and lights a candle in his memory.

On the two year anniversary of his death, April 25, Tracey will be holding a black-tie event to raise money for the hospice.

The event will be held at Hest Bank Memorial Hall at 7pm. Tracey has set up a page in memory of her husband at www.justgiving.com/remember/73238/Ian-Ireland.